The old adage was that you get what you pay for: that is, if you don't pay for something, then don't be surprised if you don't get it!

Have you noticed that fewer people pay attention to traffic signs such as: "Stop sign," "no turn on red," "speed limit 25 miles per hour," and "no through traffic"; and the unposted ones such as "pedestrians have the right of way," "slow on yellow light" and "stop on red one."

Have you noticed that it has become less safe to leave your home unattended to mow the lawn or visit a neighbor, or to visit a shopping center alone.

So, there you have it both ways: because we are paying less for police services and thereby "saving" money, we get more lawlessness and less safety and security. This seems to prove the old adage, about getting what you pay for.

We need to rethink our priorities concerning "public safety." A greater presence of Public Safety officers not only increases response to crime, it can deter it too.

Isn't it time to give serious consideration to "restoring" actual services which truly protect a comfortable sense of community?